Sondheim Talks PEE-WEE, MERRILY Revival & More

In a feature out in the LA Times today, Stephen Sondheim opened up about his year in the spotlight, The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway, the upcoming revival of Merrily We Roll Along and more.

On his fame, Sondheim says: "There's an up- and downside to being venerated...You start to believe your own notices, and that's very dangerous. At the same time, it does feel like it's gold-watch time. It's 'thanks so much for coming to the party.' They're nails in the coffin, is what they are...Even as I'm sitting here talking to you, and I'm having a perfectly fine time, part of my head is saying, 'I should be up at the computer.' My Jewish guilt is building up."

On The Pee-Wee Herman Show being the first production to open his eponymous theatre on Broadway: "I made jokes about it too...But it isn't just Pee-Wee Herman. This is also reflective of the jukebox musical. In other words, a popular character in this case, as opposed to a popular score, is presented to an audience that knows what it's going to get before going into the theater."

On Merrily We Roll Along: "To start with the sour part of the character and then go back until you get the sweetness - I love that as a structure, but audiences may not be able to do that."

To read the full report in the LA Times, click here.

For more on Sondheim, read BroadwayWorld's exclusive interview with the living legend here!

Sondheim is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (eight, more than any other composer) including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre,[1] multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. His most famous scores include (as composer/lyricist) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Assassins, as well as the lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy. He was president of the Dramatists Guild from 1973 to 1981.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos